April 19, 2013

Student organization uses benefit concert to rally support for St. Jude

K-State's Up 'til Dawn student organization is changing the ways of not-for-profit fundraising by offering supporters more than just a sense of righteousness. On April 20, Up 'til Dawn is bringing the Josh Abbott Band to the Little Apple, and is using the funds generated through ticket sales to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

With hundreds of groups across the K-State campus asking for support in the form of monetary donations, Up 'til Dawn is distinguishing its philanthropy by providing entertainment in exchange for support. Prompted by years of consecutive decreases in fundraising, Up 'til Dawn shifted its focus to include less time and effort for the participants and more of a reward.

"It's a new way to engage students outside of our traditional letter writing party," said Courtney Frantz, Up 'til Dawn Executive Director and senior in family studies and human services. "We want to be able to meet a need in our community, in this case quality entertainment, while still supporting St. Jude. In addition, this has been a way to reach more individuals in the Manhattan area about the mission of St. Jude."

Up 'til Dawn is a student led organization on college campuses across the nation that raises funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. St. Jude relies on these contributions to operate because no family ever pays to receive care and their daily operating costs mount to about $1.8 million.

This is the first year Up 'til Dawn has changed its fundraising strategy. Several businesses within the community have donated their efforts in support of Up 'til Dawn's goal, including the Wareham Opera House, Rusty's, B104.7, Kite's Grille and Bar, and the Hilton Garden Inn. The concert will take place this Saturday at the Wareham Opera House at 7:30 p.m., with tickets selling for $20 each. All proceeds will benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in hopes of allowing them to continue their life-saving work.